Philippines, Hungary eye tech collaboration

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December 26, 2025 | 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippines and Hungary are looking at technology and innovation as new areas of collaboration as they aim to further strengthen ties.

Trade Undersecretary Allan Gepty said that technology and innovation emerged as major pillars of future cooperation between the Philippines and Hungary during the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation held in Budapest earlier this month.

“Hungary has been very open in sharing its experience in areas such as AI (artificial intelligence), 5G, drone systems and advanced digital technologies,” he said in a Viber message.

He said cooperation in these areas would support the Philippines’ efforts to expand digitalization programs and explore smart city solutions and quantum technologies for broader connectivity.

Gepty said the countries are also looking to collaborate in space science given Hungary’s growing expertise in this area, particularly through its HUNOR astronaut program, which can open opportunities for the Philippines.

“We see opportunities for cooperation in space education, scientific research and even the development of space-related industries. These initiatives can help strengthen our own capabilities as we build a more advanced, knowledge-driven space program,” he said.

According to Gepty, the Philippines’ economic partnership with Hungary has advanced in key areas with businesses from both sides showing greater interest in each other’s markets as seen in the stronger participation in business forums, exhibitions and trade missions.

As the Philippines is actively pursuing a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), Gepty said Hungary’s support is also expected to open opportunities.

“An FTA with the EU will not only create a more predictable business environment, but also expand market access, create opportunities for service providers and professionals and encourage more investments from European partners — including Hungary,” he said.

He said the parties also want to strengthen cooperation in key sectors necessary for sustainable development.

On water management cooperation, he said Hungary’s expertise in clean water systems, treatment technologies and flood and drought solutions could benefit the Philippines, which is highly vulnerable to climate impacts.

In the environmental field, he said both countries recently signed a cooperation on climate change for technical exchanges, joint studies and pilot projects covering water security and circular economy initiatives.

Gepty said the Philippines also wants to strengthen cooperation with Hungary in education, skills development and labor mobility.

Through the Stipendium Hungaricum scholarship program, he said many Filipino scholars have been accepted in science, technology, engineering and mathematics courses, which are fields actively encouraged by the Philippines.

“For the Philippines, we hope to strengthen further our institutional partnerships through our Transnational Higher Education Act,” he said.

The University of Santo Tomas Graduate of School of Law has an existing partnership with Pazmany Peter Catholic University in Budapest.

The Philippines is also looking to advance cooperation on labor mobility.

“We look forward to completing the remaining frameworks, such as the labor cooperation MOU (memorandum of understanding) to ensure better protection and opportunities for our workers,” Gepty said.